England captain Maro Itoje has condemned the racist abuse directed at Ireland rugby player Edwin Edogbo, calling it 'incredibly sad' and warning of the broader dangers of social media. The 23-year-old Edogbo, who made his debut off the bench in Ireland's win over Italy, was targeted online, prompting Itoje to speak out ahead of Saturday's crucial Six Nations match at Twickenham.
Itoje, who will earn his 100th England cap, described social media as 'corrosive' and urged athletes to avoid basing their self-worth on online feedback. 'It would be a horrible way to live your life,' he said, adding that the negative effects on mental health and society will become more apparent in the coming years.
The England lock also highlighted the polarising nature of modern media, where praise and criticism are often extreme. 'In reality, you're always somewhere in the middle,' he noted, advising against becoming 'a slave to what other people say about you.'
Addressing the abuse of Edogbo, Itoje acknowledged progress in combating racism but stressed that 'there is still work to do.' He called for continued efforts to stamp out such behaviour, referencing similar incidents involving footballers like Vinícius Júnior.
Meanwhile, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has dropped fly-half Sam Prendergast from the matchday squad for the England clash, opting for Jack Crowley at No. 10. Farrell made five changes to the starting team, with Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, and Josh van der Flier returning.
